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Best Midsize SUVs
The Top-Rated Midsize SUVs for 2021
June 1st, 2022
3-Row Midsize SUVs
- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $33,725
- Fuel economy:
- 22-23 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 83.9 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 5,000 pounds
2021 Honda Pilot
A steady stream of upgrades since its debut 17 years ago has given the 3-row Honda Pilot one of today's best combinations of performance, utility and technology. Comfortable on long drives, unruffled over broken city streets, and built solidly inside and out,… today's Pilot speaks to drivers who want to ditch the minivan but still need three rows of seating. The Pilot features intelligent storage solutions, modern features and impressive fuel economy. It can even tow up to 5,000 pounds with the right equipment, making it a great alternative to bulkier truck-based SUVs.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $33,710
- Fuel economy:
- 21-22 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 87 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 5,000 pounds
2021 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade checks all the boxes for a family-friendly SUV. All of its three rows are roomy enough for adults, there's generous cargo space even behind the third row, and both ride quality and seat comfort are excellent. A robust V6 engine makes 291… horsepower. While that doesn't make for blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds in our testing), it gives the Palisade plenty of gallop for city cruising and highway passing. The Palisade is configured for eight passengers, but it can be ordered with optional second-row captain's chairs to provide seven-passenger seating. Whichever you choose, accessing the third row is easy thanks to wide-opening doors and sliding second-row seats. The Palisade can also tow up to 5,000 pounds, while a long list of advanced safety features and lengthy warranty coverage offer peace of mind.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $33,415
- Fuel economy:
- 21-23 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 87 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 5,000 pounds
2021 Kia Telluride
Go big or go home, goes the saying. Well, with its first large SUV effort, Kia has gone big with the Telluride. Larger and more capacious than its Kia Sorento sibling, which can be optioned with a cramped third row, the Telluride is a properly roomy SUV that… can comfortably seat eight adults. Upscale interior materials and generous cargo capacity make it equal parts useful and classy, while its bold style is refreshing in an SUV class of increasingly vanilla designs. The Telluride shares its basic framework, capabilities and punchy V6 engine with the Hyundai Palisade, so the better fit for most buyers will come down to preference. The Palisade offers a more restrained character, while the Telluride projects upscale attitude.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $35,060
- Fuel economy:
- 23-24 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 71.2 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 3,500 pounds
2021 Mazda CX-9
With a just-right blend of size, style and class, the Mazda CX-9 delivers luxury without the luxury price. It comes standard with 3-row seating, yet it retains the maneuverable character of a smaller car and even feels fun when hustled through curves and… corners. The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers prodigious pep without a fuel economy penalty, and we think the CX-9 is among the best-looking SUVs on the road. The same can be said of the interior, too, which you could mistake for an Audi effort. Overall cargo space isn't outstanding, but the usable space is still impressive. If a measure of sportiness in an SUV is important to you, the CX-9 delivers.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $32,575
- Fuel economy:
- 18-22 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 96.8 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 5,000 pounds
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
The VW Atlas is a 3-row SUV with a European badge, but make no mistake: This SUV is built in America for Americans. A cavernous interior and class-leading cargo space offer ample allowances for passengers and the necessities of busy family life. Large as the… Atlas is, it doesn't feel cumbersome from the driver's seat thanks to crisp steering that makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. But the Volkswagen falls short on power, with its optional V6 only just adequate for highway-speed maneuvers. (The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine also struggles.) Nor is the Atlas especially fuel-efficient, ranging from 18 to 22 mpg combined, although we've exceeded the V6's highway rating in long-distance testing. Bottom line, this VW is more about space than pace, and you'll pay for it at the pump — but if a big and functional cabin is what you're after, the Atlas certainly delivers.Compare 3-Row Midsize SUVs
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Also Consider
Midsize SUVs With 2 or 3 Rows
- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $49,925
- Fuel economy:
- 20-23 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- Not available
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 6,000 pounds
2021 Genesis GV80
We're happy to report that the first SUV from Hyundai's nascent luxury brand is a hit right out of the gate. The Genesis GV80 is new for 2021 and puts established players on notice by forging its own identity. The large shield grille and quad lighting clusters… give the GV80's exterior a unique look, while the tastefully decorated cabin seems like a clean-sheet rethink compared to the familiar layouts of other automakers. Like many midsize luxury SUVs, the GV80 offers a choice of four- or six-cylinder power. We've spent the majority of our time with the 375-horsepower turbo V6, and we can attest that this torque-rich powerplant does not lack for motivation. Selecting the V6 also adds a camera that scans the road ahead and communicates upcoming ruts and bumps to the suspension so that damping force can be modulated. The system helps give the GV80 superlative road comfort, which joins other strengths like cushy seats and an abundance of storage space. Note that most trims come with two rows. Only the 3.5T Advanced+ model comes with a third row and seating for seven.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $60,395
- Fuel economy:
- 15-23 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 72.3 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 7,200 pounds
2021 BMW X5
The BMW X5 is one of the most expensive vehicles in its rarefied class, but we think it's worth the stretch. The midsize X5 was redesigned just a few years ago and offers three high-performance engines — a turbocharged inline-six, a plug-in hybrid version with… this engine, and a turbocharged V8 that's good for 523 horsepower in the X5 M50i. Not enough? Consider the extreme X5 M, which offers up to 617 hp. Along with a bold front-end design (note the enlarged BMW kidney grilles), today's X5 gets standard all-wheel drive and tech features that include dual 12-inch displays. There's also more passenger room than in past X5s, especially in the optional third row, while cargo space is still impressive at 72.3 cubic feet. The X5 can even tow a truck-like 7,200 pounds.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $55,800
- Fuel economy:
- 16-23 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 74.9 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 7,700 pounds
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has long been a luxury SUV stalwart, even when it went by M-Class, its former name. But a redesign last year transformed the GLE from an overly soft also-ran to the undisputed champion in the midsize luxury category. The interior is… typical Mercedes: upscale, attractive, and built with top-shelf upholstery and trim. An optional suspension upgrade gives this hefty SUV more sedan-like moves, and its new infotainment system (MBUX) is next-level with competitors already scrambling to catch up. The new GLE is also available with third-row seats and mild hybrid technology that adds short bursts of electric assist for better throttle response. Oh yeah, and you can still have a V8 if you spring for the 483-horsepower GLE 580 or 603-hp AMG GLE 63 S.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $37,765
- Fuel economy:
- 17 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 89.7 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 5,000 pounds
2021 Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner, one of the last body-on-frame SUVs on the market, is an adventure specialist. Serious ground clearance, a sophisticated suspension and four-wheel drive with low-range gearing allow the Toyota to go farther afield than almost any other… midsize SUV. Versatile cargo space and airy seating only boost the 4Runner's appeal, whether you're hauling stuff and people around town or heading out on a desert expedition. Following last year's tech updates, the 2021 4Runner's upgrades are mostly limited to a new Trail Special Edition model and retuned shocks on the off-road-conquering TRD Pro. Don't expect much in the way of fuel economy, and do expect a bouncy ride on urban streets and some coarseness from the V6 engine — it's a truck, remember. But among midsize dirt-scramblers, only the rival Jeep Grand Cherokee gives Toyota a run for its money.Compare Midsize SUVs With 2 or 3 Rows
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2-Row Midsize SUVs
- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $33,645
- Fuel economy:
- 39 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 55.1 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- N/A
2021 Toyota Venza
Only available with a hybrid powertrain, the Toyota Venza is the most efficient vehicle in its class. The Venza's EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined (40 city/37 highway) crushes even the closest competition and means you'll be able to go a long way between… fill-ups. On the road, the Venza isn't held back by its hybrid powertrain either — it feels relatively peppy and light-footed for the segment. The Venza's styling is pretty sleek too, giving it a bit of curb appeal before you even step inside. Cargo capacity is limited compared to other midsize SUVs, but the Venza has adequate space for adults in its back seat. Another drawback is the high starting price, but for the money the Venza comes with quite a bit of standard equipment (including smartphone connectivity, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning). And don't forget you'll be saving at the pump.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $32,050
- Fuel economy:
- 19-22 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 77.8 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 5,000 pounds
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
If you like the Volkswagen Atlas for its rugged good looks and its classy interior but you don't need the capacity of a three-row SUV, the Atlas Cross Sport is an excellent choice. The Atlas Cross Sport is, quite simply, a smaller two-row version of the Atlas.… Even though it's shorter from nose to tail, the Cross Sport adds nearly 20 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. The sloping roofline cuts into rear headroom a bit, but the interior is just as comfortable and well-appointed as in the larger three-row. Unfortunately, the Atlas Cross Sport also uses the same two engines as the standard Atlas — a turbocharged four-cylinder and an optional V6 — both of which are a bit underpowered and a bit less efficient than segment leaders. Still, we enjoy the Atlas Cross Sport's handling, sophisticated interior and abundant cargo space.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $27,845
- Fuel economy:
- 26-29 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 75.7 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 3,500 pounds
2021 Subaru Outback
Is the Outback really an SUV? It started out as a Legacy wagon on stilts, of course, but in recent years Subaru's off-road wagon has found its own identity as a crossover SUV. Standard all-wheel drive and impressive cargo space are two of the Outback's… defining characteristics, while its ample ground clearance contributes to surprising capability in the dirt. The cargo area's low floor helps when loading gear, and the relatively low roof makes it easy to secure a surfboard or cargo carrier on top. The Outback is also eminently livable for those who don't venture off-pavement every day. Ride comfort is superlative, with the suspension soaking up bumps large and small and insulating occupants from any harshness. The seats are also well shaped, supportive and capable of delivering all-day comfort for the occasional road trip. A powerful turbocharged engine and well-tuned driving aids round out the Outback's long list of strengths.- Starting price (including destination fee):
- $33,965
- Fuel economy:
- 21-22 mpg combined
- Maximum cargo capacity:
- 77.9 cubic feet
- Maximum towing capacity:
- 5,000 pounds
2021 Honda Passport
The Passport is a 2-row SUV based on Honda's larger 3-row Pilot. It uses the same stout V6 that powers the Pilot, resulting in strong acceleration and the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Front-wheel drive comes standard, though all-wheel drive is available… on all trims. There's plenty of cargo space behind the upright second row, and folding those seats down yields 78 cubic feet of maximum stowage. That's less volume than the larger 4Runner offers but more than any of our other top picks for a 2-row midsize SUV. The Passport also offers comfortable seats that hold up to the long haul, clever small-item storage, an elevated ride height for better-than-average off-road ability and a standard set of driver safety aids.Compare Hybrid SUVs with 2 Rows
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Choosing the Best Midsize SUV for you
Midsize SUVs cover a broad spectrum of today's most popular vehicles. Some aren't much larger than what we'd call compact SUVs, while others hang around the fringes of the full-size SUV class. Furthermore, there's a midsize SUV for practically any budget, with prices ranging from the high $20,000s to $100,000 and beyond.
Pricing is perhaps the most important consideration when buying a midsize SUV. From there, you can narrow your choices based on fuel economy, available seating rows, maximum cargo space and, if it matters to you, towing capacity. Maneuverability is another concern since some SUVs move like smaller cars while others feel like boats. Visibility is something to be mindful of when you're test-driving the vehicle, although backup cameras and parking sensors help mitigate low-speed anxiety in driveways and parking lots.
Next steps for buying a Midsize SUV
Midsize SUVs are among today's most popular cars for good reason. With seating for five to eight passengers, power liftgates and large cargo spaces, plus essential tech offerings (Bluetooth, USB connectivity, even Wi-Fi hotspots), midsize SUVs often strike the best balance for growing families on the go. By blending sedan comfort with the utility of a covered truck, midsize SUVs offer multidimensional benefits. When it's time to find your midsize SUV, let Edmunds guide you with detailed expert insights and easy one-stop pricing.
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